Bacon and egg risotto

Cooking time: 45 minutes
Serves 2

Ingredients

700ml (1-1/4 pints) chicken stock
15g (1/2 oz) butter
150g (5oz) bacon lardons
1 small onion, finely chopped
150g (5oz) risotto rice
2 tbsp finely chopped parsley
25g (1oz) grated Parmesan
2 eggs
Pepper

Method

Heat the stock and keep it simmering gently while you cook the risotto.

Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and sauté the bacon until golden all over, then stir in the onion. Cook on a medium heat until the onion is soft and pale gold. Add the rice, turn it over in the fat and juices, and cook for a couple of minutes until it is translucent.

Start to add the stock a ladleful at a time, stirring continuously while the rice is cooking. Don’t add any more stock until the last lot has been absorbed.

The rice will eventually soften and become creamy, with just a little bite in the centre of each grain. It takes about 20-25 minutes. Season with pepper (you shouldn’t need any salt because of the bacon – and the stock becomes more intense as it reduces).

Stir in the parsley and half the Parmesan and check the seasoning. Cover and leave to rest while you quickly poach the eggs.

Top each serving with a poached egg and add the remaining Parmesan on the side.